Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa described local authorities as the “biggest headache” facing his ministry, citing widespread financial mismanagement, weak governance, and inequitable land allocation as major obstacles.

Speaking on Nampa’s Behind the Wheel programme, Sankwasa pointed to low education levels among councillors leading to misunderstandings of laws and vulnerability to manipulation.

“Poor governance has contributed to weak accountability; many local authorities have not been properly audited for years,” he noted.

He criticized the prioritization of investors over ordinary Namibians, many of whom have waited 15 to 20 years for land.

Sankwasa dismissed claims that high land prices alone cause expensive housing, citing reliance on imported building materials and structural issues.

To improve affordability, government plans include restructuring the National Housing Enterprise, promoting alternative building technologies, and exploring local manufacturing of construction materials.

The goal remains to build 10,000 houses, balancing affordability with durability amid a housing backlog of approximately 800,000 units.